A big moment in Vermilion County sports history is set for this Saturday afternoon. After Coach John Spezia retired from the DACC mens basketball program, his work in basketball included some camps and association with the Notre Dame de La Salette Boys Academy in Georgetown. He had watched the basketball program grow. And about four years ago, he was asked to take over the team. Now, this Saturday at 3:30, Notre Dame de La Salette will play their first ever game as a full member of the IHSA, when they host Clifton Central. Coach Spezia says, at this school, which draws students from all over the country and outside the U S, the great thing is that the students take a lot of the responsibility.
AUDIO: They all have jobs. When I say jobs, they all have responsibilites. One washes the uniforms. One sets up the gym, one, you know, they do announcing; I mean they have responsibilities and the seniors supervise those guys. So from my standpoint as a coach, as an AD, I walk in and everything’s done.
And Coach Spezia says, what he hears after practice often makes him turn his head.
AUDIO: Well let’s put it this way. Practice is over, they go, because we do a little thing at practice, you know we bump each other and say “thanks for coming.” They all, those kids will go, “Coach, thanks for coming and helping us.” What? So, there you go.
Tip-off Saturday afternoon is at 3:30, with Craig Anderson of the IHSA scheduled to be in attendance. And yes, the CRAZIES, their own student fan group, will be ready to go.
